Ocean Grove Under 19s erased memories of last year’s painful Division Two grand final loss and were crowned 2019 premiers with victory over Barwon Heads on 14 September.
The Grubbers lost to Geelong Amateur by 11 points in last year’s decider at Drysdale.
Ocean Grove Under 19s premiership coach Matt Tyrrell said it was an emotion charged grand final win at Torquay over its Battle of the Bridge opponents after a heart-breaking defeat in 2018.
Final scores Ocean Grove 14.5 (89) defeated Barwon Heads 11.2 (68).
“Last year was pretty hard fought as well with the loss,” Tyrrell told the Voice.
“It took a lot out of me and the boys.
“There was a fair few of the boys that were with us on Saturday afternoon at the grand final that didn’t play – that was sort of emotional as well because they didn’t get to have a win and I didn’t get to share that with them.
“This year was more special because we have got a new generation of kids – it is pretty special group too.”
Tyrrell revealed Ocean Grove four-time senior premiership coach Brendan McCartney spoke to the Under 19s team and passed on words of wisdom two days prior to Division Two grand final.
The Grubbers’ win over the Seagulls saw Tyrrell become a four-time Grubber premiership coach after he guided club to Under 18 flags in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and the Under 19’s premiership this month.
“He (Brendan McCartney) came and had a chat to us on the Thursday night,” Tyrrell said.
“It was good to see him and I hadn’t seen him for years – he was a pretty powerful speaker.”
Grubber superboot Tom Richardson won the medal for being named best on ground after kicking four goals.
It was a rare dual back-to-back individual honour for Richardson, last year he booted 10 goals in the Grubbers’ Under 17s premiership win in a best on ground performance.
Ocean Grove held a handy buffer over Barwon Heads all throughout the match, a five-goal opening term saw Grubbers lay the foundations for victory.
Barwon Heads was the last team to defeat ladder leader Ocean Grove by 10 points on 10 August – two weeks before finals.
“I think we had their (Barwon Heads) measure from the start – we had a heap more footy in our hands,” Tyrrell said.
“They (Barwon Heads) were really physical.”
Grubber forward Jake Hargreaves continued his brilliant finals campaign and finished with three goals.
He also kicked five goals in the second-semi-final win over Geelong Amateur on 31 August.
Joseph Nagle and Mitchell Clark also booted two goals.
Inspirational Under 19s co-captain Max Sutton returned from an ankle injury and played in the win.
Fellow co-captain Kobe Annand, Connor Pickett and Tyler Bryan and Joseph Nagle were all named in the best.
Seagull star Noah Young kicked five goals for Barwon Heads, while Louis Polwarth booted three majors.
SCOREBOARD
UNDER 19S
DIVISION TWO GRAND FINAL
OCEAN GROVE 14.5 (89) def BARWON HEADS 11.2 (68)
OG goals: T. Richardson 4, J. Hargreaves 3, J. Nagle 2, M. Clark 2, L. Gibb, T. Bryan, J. Lange.
BH goals: N. Young 5, L. Polwarth 3, D. Booth, F. Pianta-Cook, M. Witherden
OG best: T. Richardson, K. Annand, J. Hargreaves, C. Pickett, T. Bryan, J. Nagle.
BH best: C. Hurst, L. Polwarth, N. Young, D. Booth, M. Witherden, P. Richards
